Over 92% choose Hindi in SSLC third language exams

Even though the Education Department had announced that SSLC third language results would now follow a grading system instead of the old pass-fail method, the change seems to advantage students choosing Hindi. Over 92 per cent of students across Karnataka opted for Hindi as their third language this year, leaving regional and classical languages far behind.

Data indicates more than 7.52 lakh students, around 92.57 per cent of the total selected Hindi. English was chosen by over 32,000 students, Kannada by 11,483, and Urdu by more than 5,500. Sanskrit had over 5,000 takers, while Tulu, Arabic, Konkani, and Marathi attracted only 845, 361, 34, and 3 students respectively. The data highlight the overwhelming popularity of Hindi and the limited uptake of other languages.

Policy shift
The grading system was introduced just before the SSLC exams by School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, following requests from pro-Kannada organisations. While the move aims to reduce stress and provide a more nuanced evaluation, critics argue that it favours Hindi, which students perceive as easier to score compared to regional languages.

Bilingual expansion

Simultaneously, the state is preparing to expand bilingual teaching of Kannada and English from the 2026–27 academic year. Around 1.55 lakh primary school teachers will be trained by the Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT) to teach English alongside the local language for Classes 1 to 5. Bilingual classes are already being conducted in select districts, with plans to extend the programme statewide, ensuring students develop both mother tongue and English skills early.

Legal challenge
Despite the reforms, the grading system and the bilingual initiative face scrutiny. A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the High Court challenging the implementation of graded evaluation for third language subjects, including Hindi. The petition argues that the decision was taken without consulting language experts or holding public discussions, and the matter is pending review.

Expert opinion
Educationists warn that student preference and policy may not always align. “Students are choosing languages based on convenience and scoring potential. Rapid policy shifts, without proper awareness campaigns, could affect the uptake of regional languages and long-term learning outcomes,” said a senior academic. A Kannada activist said, “Only 10,000 to 12,000 students opted for Kannada, while lakhs chose Hindi. Given this, the government’s grading policy is a practical first step.”